Who are your Sleeper Teams for 2009

[MFootball]

I think that this is the year that USC slips up. That isn't a slight to USC, they're still stacked to the brim, but they're young. I think they'll finish with two or three losses... a terrible season by their recent standards. Cal's QB play can be shaky, but I think it may steady up this year. And with all the great things we've heard about USC's QB in spring, he's still unproven... he may prove to be a liability as well.

The fact is that last year USC was inconsistent at times offensively. Their defense was the strongest point of their squad, and they lost alot of key players there. I just picked Cal to be a little different. It has become so routine to take SC in the Pac 10. Tedford always seems to gameplan for USC well, and the game is in Berkeley so I think they have a shot to knock off the Trojans. We'll see.

[Lawdog]

Egg gives the Hawks an endorsement and Hawkeye is not here to enjoy that moment. For this, I tip my hat and blow taps, right out my Iowa born ass. I hope they are good, but it sure seems like Ferentz has lost his mojo.

[m2k989]

Originally Posted by MFootball

I think that this is the year that USC slips up. That isn't a slight to USC, they're still stacked to the brim, but they're young. I think they'll finish with two or three losses... a terrible season by their recent standards. Cal's QB play can be shaky, but I think it may steady up this year. And with all the great things we've heard about USC's QB in spring, he's still unproven... he may prove to be a liability as well.

The fact is that last year USC was inconsistent at times offensively. Their defense was the strongest point of their squad, and they lost alot of key players there. I just picked Cal to be a little different. It has become so routine to take SC in the Pac 10. Tedford always seems to gameplan for USC well, and the game is in Berkeley so I think they have a shot to knock off the Trojans. We'll see.

True about the offense, but they've basically returned everybody but Sanchez, and there's no reason to believe that Corp or Barkley will be a drop-off (Sanchez was unproven this time last year), or that the returning players won't improve. And trust me, the defensive guys who left are being replaced by guys who were blue-chip recruits in their own right. The secondary is basically intact (Ellison and Harris are gone, but their replacements both started several games last season due to injuries and were fine), the defensive line may be better with Armon Armstead and Everson Griffen taking over at DE, and the linebackers are less experienced but talented.

I certainly think Cal will give us a game, but the reason its routine to pick SC to win the Pac-10 is because, well, they generally do win it. I expect nothing different this year.

[Negrodamus]

I cant say they will be this year, but next year I'm giving it to UK.. They will have one of these highly touted freshman QB's running the ship and will have one of the more potent offenses in the SEC again... Expect an upset or two this coming season

[TyKixx]

Not at all in college football mode yet, but I'll try and throw one out there no one has mentioned yet. How about Colorado in a wide open Big 12 North.

[TyKixx]

Originally Posted by Lawdog

Egg gives the Hawks an endorsement and Hawkeye is not here to enjoy that moment. For this, I tip my hat and blow taps, right out my Iowa born ass. I hope they are good, but it sure seems like Ferentz has lost his mojo.

The defense should remain very strong even losing Kroul and King. Jewel Hampton looked good last year so hopefully he'll soften the blow of losing Greene. Stanzi needs to make progress. If he does, I think they'll be fine.

[ctone22]

Rutgers could actually be undefeated with their schedule and get a BCS game. PLus have a real good recruting class coming in

[S2000ManiaC]

Originally Posted by egghead

Ron Zook my favorite recruiter--

but can he take that potential in star ratings and get the results on the field

With the talent Illinois had last year--and not to make a Bowl--Ron is in trouble if it happens again

Illinois should have the best offense in the Big 10--Juice Williams will have over 4,000 yards of total offense and has one of the best receivers in the nation in Arrelious Benn --The best three lineman return and if Illinois can get consistency at running back (Daniel Dufrene can be better than Williams) Illinois will be in the top 10 in total offense

The defense which should have been real good last year collapsed--and the Illini lose the top 4 players off that defense--but they have some talent in Martez Wilson who moves to middle linebacker in 09--

But overall Illinois is going to have to stay healthy--and score a bunch of points until the young defense can solidify


They should finish in the top 6 in the Big Ten and return to a Bowl game

i agree with your assessment. good inconsistent offense and "could be good" defense.

top 6 in the big 10 is not really an accomplishment. that means 5 teams are worse and 5 are better.

with the talent on that roster, that would be another failure.

[egghead]

Originally Posted by ctone22

Rutgers could actually be undefeated with their schedule and get a BCS game. PLus have a real good recruting class coming in

I actually considered Rutgers cause I love Greg Schiano low risk offensive philosophy--but Rutgers should have been better than 7-5 in 2008 and they are losing Quarterback Mike Teel and his two best receivers in Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood --Rutgers lost a ton of offensive production---and this spring the QB Natale didn't look promising-The offensive line will be very very good--which should help the running game and help whoever plays QB some time to throw

Defense returns 6 starters and should be solid with the folks filling the holes--but overall depth will be a problem and Ijust don't see the playmakers Rutgers will need to win the Big East--I see them battling USF for a top 4 finish and a Bowl

[mesahotguy5]

As long as Stanzi stays healthy, and they find a somewhat decent running game, I think Iowa is the darkhorse in the Big 10.

[egghead]

Originally Posted by TyKixx

Not at all in college football mode yet, but I'll try and throw one out there no one has mentioned yet. How about Colorado in a wide open Big 12 North.

Colorado is a team that should compete for the Big 12 North--but I am baffled by their offensive production (95th) scoring (100th)--They have great difficulty scoring points--Scotty McKnight and Josh Smith at receiver and Rodney Stewart and Darrell Scott in the backfield this team should score--but then you have the QB shuffle=Cody Hawkins and Tyler Hansen and how both guys can be so inconsistent boggles the mind--but most of the blame can be laid at the feet of the offensive line which was truly horrible last year--They were very young so hopefully they can take a step up this year and if they do the Bufs offensive production should sky rocket--especially in the red zone

But the real concern will be the defensive line--Most of the front four is gone off a defense that was fairly good rushing the passer--which really helped the secondary in the pass happy Big 12--and while most of the secondary is back--if the Bufs dont get the same rush watch out--

Colorado needs to turn the corner this year for Dan Hawkins to keep his job--and if the Bufs can stay healthy--which they couldn't last year- they have the offensive fire power to upset some teams this year--but they need to win the games they are supposed to--

[dizzle498]

As far as sleepers are concerned, I am going to go with UCLA, they had a above average recruiting class and 3 of the best coaches in the business. If they can get their QB situation worked out, look out, they could have a big year.

Duane Walker will have the D ready, Norm Chow will have the O ready...Can Rick N. come up with a way to keep Kevin Craft out of the line up? If so, UCLA could be good.

[JustinA407]

Originally Posted by egghead

I actually considered Rutgers cause I love Greg Schiano low risk offensive philosophy--but Rutgers should have been better than 7-5 in 2008 and they are losing Quarterback Mike Teel and his two best receivers in Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood --Rutgers lost a ton of offensive production---and this spring the QB Natale didn't look promising-The offensive line will be very very good--which should help the running game and help whoever plays QB some time to throw

Defense returns 6 starters and should be solid with the folks filling the holes--but overall depth will be a problem and Ijust don't see the playmakers Rutgers will need to win the Big East--I see them battling USF for a top 4 finish and a Bowl

I hope some Big East teams can suprise this year and nobody is really looking like a standout team. I personally think WVU will be better than almost everyone is expecting. Having thm 4th or 5th in the Big East is a joke. I know we lost Pat White and our offensive line, but we will actually have a defense this year and while nobody is Pat White, Jarrett Brown is no joke. Having a defense and a passing game this year could be interesting as those are two things we are seen little of recently.

[detna3333]

My 5 sleepers
SMU
Colorado
Arkansas
California
Boise State They'll go undefeated this year I'm calling it

[shaggy13]

i said it before i'll say it again...Kent State. look out for the MAC

[egghead]

Originally Posted by JustinA407

I hope some Big East teams can suprise this year and nobody is really looking like a standout team. I personally think WVU will be better than almost everyone is expecting. Having thm 4th or 5th in the Big East is a joke. I know we lost Pat White and our offensive line, but we will actually have a defense this year and while nobody is Pat White, Jarrett Brown is no joke. Having a defense and a passing game this year could be interesting as those are two things we are seen little of recently.

Not sure why anyone would have WVU 4th or 5th--and I have seen a couple that have WVU first--but the offensive line is a concern with a new QB--and there will be a falloff from last year

but that young defense last year returns eight starters to a unit that ranked 11th in the nation in scoring defense. and this year should be better--especially with Reed Williams returning

I don't know how you can discount WVU in the Big East with the defense they have

[egghead]

Originally Posted by dizzle498

As far as sleepers are concerned, I am going to go with UCLA, they had a above average recruiting class and 3 of the best coaches in the business. If they can get their QB situation worked out, look out, they could have a big year.

Duane Walker will have the D ready, Norm Chow will have the O ready...Can Rick N. come up with a way to keep Kevin Craft out of the line up? If so, UCLA could be good.

The problem with UCLA on offense was the offensive line - when you allow a little over three sacks a game--and rank 116th in the country rushing with Kahlil Bell in the backfield---you got a big problem--and UCLA wont get better until they solve the problem--No matter who is at QB

and that could take a while--

But the defense looks better--especially on the defensive line and Reggie Carter at linebacker--the secondary should be fine--

[n5xm]

Yeah, it's damn tough to make a living in the SEC, but look for the Razorbacks to be much more competitive in '09. They can easily start four on offense with 4.4 speed. RB Michael Smith has been timed in 4.35. They will be at least 5 deep at RB, will have 4 out of 5 OL returning, and a TE who had 63 catches last season. Yes, new QB Ryan Mallett has to establish himself, but he finished with a very strong final spring game.

Sr. DT Malcom Shepherd led all SEC interior defensive linemen in sacks, and Jake Becquette is becoming a stalwart at DE. We will be stronger at LB with some nicely ranked newcomers. The secondary will be the caveat. Plenty are coming back, but it was a terrible weakness last season. We do have 2 of the top 10 incoming frosh at cornerback coming, and I would not be surprised to see either or both Darius Winston and David Gordon (10.17 100m) start. Increased emphasis on special teams bodes well this fall, also. Lots bitch about our weak non-conference schedule, but we play 7 bowl teams from last year. On the other hand, we could start out 1-4. There is great potential for success in Fayetteville. n5

[MeLLo]

temple owls

[chevy706]

Originally Posted by JustinA407

I hope some Big East teams can suprise this year and nobody is really looking like a standout team. I personally think WVU will be better than almost everyone is expecting. Having thm 4th or 5th in the Big East is a joke. I know we lost Pat White and our offensive line, but we will actually have a defense this year and while nobody is Pat White, Jarrett Brown is no joke. Having a defense and a passing game this year could be interesting as those are two things we are seen little of recently.

I've seen WVU anywhere between 1st and 4th. I think the reason those that give them a 4th projection aren't slighting the Mountaineers as much as they're indicating you could pretty much throw a blanket over WVU, Pitt, Cincy, and South Florida.

As a Pitt fan, I look at their schedule and see they could go 11-1 or 7-5, or anywhere in between. I look for the conference to be very competitive this season.